Bournemouth Half Marathon
Sun 8 Oct 2023 Bournemouth, Dorset, UK

Bournemouth Half Marathon

Sun... Sea... Running as it should be. Taking in both Boscombe and Bournemouth piers along a stunning coastal route and part of the Run Bournemouth weekend running festival.

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  • Sun 8 Oct 2023
Hengistbury Head, Bournemouth > Bournemouth Parks - Lower Gardens, Bournemouth

Bournemouth Half Marathon

11:00

£41.75-£47

Age 17 & over

  • 13.1 miles road running

Overview

Be part of Run Bournemouth! Sun.. Sea.. Running as it should be.

Taking place in autumn each year, there are seven different events on offer over two days, from the Bournemouth Half Marathon and Supersonic 10K, to the Supernova 5K at dusk, and four junior events - there really is something for everyone.

Highlights

  • Beautiful coastal routes

    Stunning sea views from start to finish.

  • Award-winning beaches

    Chance to run both Boscombe and Bournemouth Piers.

  • 7 distances to choose from

    Fast and flat routes, great for a PB.

  • Weekend festival of running

    Revel in the crowd's support.

This event is part of Run Bournemouth.

  • Event expo
  • Event village
  • Families
  • Fancy dress
  • Newcomers
  • Spectators
  • Traders at event
  • Wheelchair users

A weekend festival of running with a range of distances for all abilities:

Saturday

  • Kids' Kilometre
  • Junior 1.5K
  • Junior 2K
  • Junior 5K
  • Supernova 5K (night time event)

Sunday

  • Bournemouth Supersonic 10K
  • Bournemouth Half Marathon

  • Bag storage
  • Cafe
  • Coast
  • Park
  • Toilets
  • Urban

Event HQ

Bournemouth Parks - Lower Gardens
Bournemouth
Dorset
BH2 5AA
UK

Enjoy a weekend away with the whole family and soak up the sun, sea & sand of Bournemouth's beautiful beaches.

  • Distance markers
  • First aid
  • Flat
  • Marshals
  • Point to point
  • Sweeper
  • Traffic free
  • Water stations
  • Wave start

The course follows the old Full Marathon route and features Bournemouth Beach - voted The UK's Best Beach, cliff top views, promenade running, the exceptionally clean Southbourne Beach, Boscombe Pier and the iconic Bournemouth Pier.

Route highlights

  • Start at the spectacular and beautiful Hengistbury Head
  • 5 miles along clifftops with awesome views over the coastline
  • Along the promenade then to the end of Boscombe Pier
  • Alongside Bournemouth's award winning blue flag beaches
  • Enjoy the feel of the wooden boards of Bournemouth Pier underfoot
  • Finish at Lower Gardens to cheers from your admirers
BOURNEMOUTH HALF MARATHON ROUTE MAP
From Southbourne to Bournemouth.

Route description

The Bournemouth Half Marathon starts at the spectacular and beautiful Hengistbury Head, which forms the main division between Poole and Christchurch bays.

The first 5 miles of the route makes its way along the cliff tops affording participants the very best views of the coastline before dropping down onto the seafront. You continue to take in the beautiful coastal views as you run along the promenade with Boscombe Pier in sight.

A short incline at mile 8 brings you back up to the overcliff to enjoy a new view of Bournemouth Pier and Poole beyond. Passing Russell Coates Museum on the way down to Pier Approach you’ll get a taste of the glorious finish line that awaits you, but not before once again enjoying the run out to end of Boscombe Pier where you enjoy the feel of the wooden pier boards beneath you.

Once final stretch on the promenade, alongside Bournemouth’s award winning blue flag beaches before you once again tread the boards of your second pier, Bournemouth Pier. This Pier was first constructed in 1856 and has undergone numerous transformations over the years, with the addition of the Bournemouth Pier Theatre in 1959. Take it all in before you start your sprint finish through your much anticipated finish line on Bournemouth Pier Approach. 

  • Public transport links
  • Sustainability policy

Sustainability

This event is committed to minimising impact on the local environment, implemented in the following ways:

  • Entries, marketing and runners' information online rather than paper
  • Encourage public transport
  • Communication with residents and businesses regarding road closures to reduce traffic congestion on the event weekend
  • Reduce noise pollution
  • Collect, recycle or repurpose waste wherever possible
  • Donate unused food to food bank

  • Chip timing
  • Goody bag
  • Medal
  • Technical t-shirt

Included

  • Wicking finisher's t-shirt
  • Finisher's medal and distance keyring
  • Finisher's pack
  • Personalised event number with accurate timing chip
  • Event baggage facilities
  • Hydration and nutrition at the finish
  • Results posted in your account within 48 hours
  • Fantastic running experience

Charity places

These charities have places in the event. To secure your place, select a charity, complete the form and follow the instructions.

Free sign up Homelessness

Missing People

The only UK charity that reunites missing children and adults with their loved ones.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact
  • Exclusive social group

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£350

Free sign up Children

Sands

Reducing the number of baby deaths.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Pre-event meet-ups
  • Post-race reception

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£400

Mental health

Rethink Mental Illness

Challenging attitudes on mental health to help those severely affected by mental illness.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

Health and Medical

MS Society

For a world free from the effects of MS.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact
  • Certificate
  • Submit fundraising up to 1 month after event

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

Animals

Cats Protection

For a world where every cat is treated with kindness and an understanding of its needs.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Fundraising incentives
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£250

Free sign up Cancer

Macmillan Cancer Support

No one should have to face cancer alone.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Cheer squad on the day

Sign up
FREE

Fundraise
£300

Cancer

Target Ovarian Cancer

Raise awareness, fund research and save lives.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Online training zone
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£200

Children

NSPCC

Every childhood is worth fighting for.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£250

Cancer

Bowel Cancer UK

Beating bowel cancer together.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Training plan
  • Training days
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£119.60

Fundraise
£100

Dementia

Alzheimer Scotland

Supporting people with dementia in Scotland to make sure nobody faces it alone.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£300

Health and Medical

Parkinson's UK

Find a cure and improve life for everyone affected by Parkinson’s.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£250

Heart

Cardiomyopathy UK

Providing information and support to sufferers of this incurable disease which could affect anyone of any age.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials

Sign up
£20

Fundraise
£300

Heart

British Heart Foundation

Coronary heart disease is the UK's single biggest killer but the BHF is leading the fight against it.

  • Running vest
  • Fundraising support
  • Fundraising materials
  • Bespoke training plan
  • Pro training advice
  • Training guide
  • Dedicated contact

Sign up
£25

Fundraise
£250

  • Age 17 & over
  • Entries open
  • Charity entries open
  • Charity places
  • Enter online
  • Event merch available
  • Race pack by post

Entry fees

Entry fee

£41.75

Valid to 18/09/2023

Entry fee

£47.00

Valid from 18/09/2023

A fantastic half marathon with just one decent climb at 8 miles to break it up! Apart from that the course is flat and fast and would be quick on the right day with low wind! Highly recommended and the course is beautiful along the beach! Rob A

First time visit here and I'll definitely return.. Marshals were great and so was the local support!! Good half marathon to make a weekend of it if not local! Stuart K

The route is very scenic and lovely views..  The finishers medal was really good and you get a few goodies. Tara N

There is something for everyone in the family from as little as 3-4 years old. Good atmosphere by the sea front. Fast course. Local support is good along the course. Bassem A

You get to run along both Boscombe and Bournemouth piers. Alison H

Great local support for a course with fantastic views. The downside of seaside routes is the wind, though! Harvey G

First time I had run this event and it was very well organised. It’s an out and back course taking in both Boscombe and Bournemouth piers. I would certainly recommend this race to other runners. Goodie bag was good too including medal and t-shirt. Ian D

All in all a very good half marathon, the views were fantastic and the initial organisation I thought was brilliant. Adam B

This is the first time I've ever done Bournemouth Half and I absolutely loved it. It has an early start so it's not for a later riser but walking to the start pen amid an autumn sunrise was lovely, if not rather chilly and you were finished by lunchtime. Simone E

Reviews thanks to RaceCheck